Imperial China & Yangtze River Cruise

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

Average Review Rating: from 39 reviews.

sylvia butler-jones

IMPERIAL CHINA & YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE

Written October 2012
I cannot believe how much i saw of China and the culture in 3 weeks, amazing.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The Great Wall was amazing and travelling 4 hours to see it in a place where there were not so many tourists (hardly saw another tourist at all)  was more than worth the time it took to get there.
What did you think of your group leader?
I cannot say enough good about her, she was brilliant. She was informative about the culture and people of China, if we needed anything she helped us get it. She was fun, friendly, interesting and a genunely nice person to be with. She made sure we were booked into sleeper berths together and any issues we had she resolved, not that i can remember there being many. We were called Emma's family and she certainly made us feel like a family. I needed help with 2 personal things (one of which was getting a set of false nails fitted the day before i came home, vain i know) she helped me find a beautician who could do it for me, expained my needs and waited for me whilst they were done, really girlie time, great.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
You need a sleeping bag liner for the 3rd overnight sleeper train, i would take a mosquito thingymagig for the hotel rooms but i would not bother with a mosquito net.  I packed far too much - for the time of the year I went Sept/Oct some shorts and strappy t-shirts were all that were needed for the days, we did not really dress up at night, so jeans, light weight trousers etc., but i would say no high heels (streets are a bit uneven). A fleece and lightweight waterproof jacket is also must. Lemsip as well, lots of our group caught colds. A kindle to pass the time on some of the journeys between sites is also something i used a lot. A packet of baby wipes, squat toilets take some getting used to especially on a moving train.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
It was just brilliant, the people, the culture, the traffic, the sites everything. I am really grateful i went with Exodus because some of the groups from other tour companies were large (Cosmos 41 people) and they would not have had anything like the experience we did. If you want to see China and its people this is the way to do it. I travelled on my own and i would strongly recommend this trip to anybody who wants to get out and see China but is a bit weary of doing it on their own. Thank you Exodus for such a wonderful experience.
Sylvia Van Oevern

IMPERIAL CHINA & YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE

Written October 2012
If you want to see the highlights of China then this is definitely a good way to do it. Apart from satisfying your curiousity about the past it also helps you put the potential future of the country into perspective. But there is relatively little countryside/wildlife on this trip.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The great Wall of China threw everything at us: we started in the rain, then got a sprinkling of hail, thunder and lightening, before clearing up and showing itself in beautiful light with views far into the distance. Could have spent more time here, enjoying the beautiful mountain scenery.
The Panda breeding centre was another highlight. the animal enclosures are well done and look reasonably natural. An early arrival ensured we saw them in active feeding mode, incl a cub playing with its mum (?) and within a few meters. Going to the enclosures a little further, we found ourselves alone with one adult chomping its way through breakfast, with clear sound effects.
Also enjoyed the day walk up Emei Shan, through the woods, with lovely temples. Despite the crowds, the felt very peaceful.
What did you think of your group leader?
Sophia/ Huey was very helpful and spoke excellent English. She was always considerate to the needs of the whole group.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
You don't need anywhere near as many clothes as you think. Haggle very strongly, esp in Yangshou (starting point seems to be three- four times the final price you can actually pay). Suggest to your guide that the tipping kitty does not include the cruise ship element; it's better left to your own discretion. Don't take suitcases, bag-style luggage is easier to carry and you have to carry your stuff around to/from trains and planes.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Ensure you have enough spare space in your luggage, as you end up buying too much stuff. in Yangshou there ar many activities you can do (often another way to make you buy more after the event), and these deepen your experience. We did Tai Chi, cooking and calligraphy and it makes you understand the culture that little bit more.
Katy Lyon

IMPERIAL CHINA & YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE

Written September 2012
What a brilliant holiday with a bit of everything: from the noise, hustle and bustle of city life to a tranquil cruise on a bamboo raft down the Yulong River; the breathtaking beauty of the Great Wall and the amazing pits with the Terracotta Warriors; fascinating history, lovely, friendly people, great food and a fun group and tour leader - we laughed our way around China together and it was fantastic. I would highly recommend this trip but, as the other reviewers have said, this is not a trip for putting your feet up and relaxing. Your feet barely stop moving but you get to see some wonderful sights and experiences along the way.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
There was loads of brilliant stuff of the holiday and I loved every day but the three stand out experiences for me were:
1. Walking the Great Wall was my favourite experience. We spent most of the day there in the glorious sunshine and walked about 10 km. The views from the Wall were breathtaking and we had it nearly all to ourselves.
2. Visiting the Panda Centre in Chengdu was also another highlight for me. We got there early in the day so saw the pandas having breakfast and being at their most active. But the best bit was seeing the tiny baby pandas in their incubators. I had to tear myself away.
3. The Terracotta Warriors are just amazing in their detail and in their number. I could have spent much longer just walking around. Another great day on our trip.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our group leader was Susan and she helped to make this such a memorable holiday. She was very organised, always happy and ready to help and to join in the fun.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
The beds in China are hard and the 'soft berths' on the train are even harder - so be prepared to take a travel pillow or something soft, particularly on the train to save you backache.
I was advised by the tour leader some sections of the Great Wall we were walking might be difficult for those with vertigo. It was steep in some sections but if you can overcome your fear it actually isn't that bad and definitely worth it for the experience.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Book it, book it, book it!!
Paul Devall

IMPERIAL CHINA & YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE

Written September 2012
We booked this trip without having been on a touring holiday before. We did not really know what to expect. The trip notes that were sent were excellent and gave us a good idea of what types of accomodation we would be staying in. We had a fantastic time and would recommend this trip as you get to see all the major cultural sites. Whilst it is a bit hectic for the first 8 or 9 days you do get a chance to relax towards the end.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The Great Wall of China is awesome and even though it came at the beginning of the trip it was fantastic and is something I will never forget. I have not seen photo's or video footage that does it justice it really is a WOW moment when you get to the wall itself and see it snaking away over precipitous hills. This does not mean the rest of the trip was an anticlimax, far from it. Everything we saw was interesting and there were other wow moments throughout the trip. The only down side I can think off was the trip to the Great Buddha, whilst this is a magnificent statue cut into the cliff all the travelling for 10 minutes there was a bit much.
What did you think of your group leader?
William was great. He could not do enough for us. His knowledge of the cultural sites was in depth and he gave us it small chunks so that we could digest a little bit at a time.
We had a disparate group and William made sure all the party were catered for, from letting some of us hike the Great Wall for 4 hours to making sure the less able of the group still got a chance to see it and arranging local guides to help. His choice of restaurants and local knowledge of the places we visited made sure we tasted the real China. Not all the meals were to my taste as I must admit I did get a bit tired of rice and noodles but that is no fault of Williams jsut me having a westerm palate.
My camera broke after just 5 days there and William was great in helping me buy a new one as there is not a lot of English spoken in rural China.
If you go on this trip and get William as a guide you will have a great time
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
The trip is quite hectic at first and there is some lugging of cases and time spent in railway stations but it is all worth it. The train journeys can be a little drawn out and whilst they have improved the third leg of the trip I would still recommend taking a sleeping bag liner. Just go with an open mind and you will have the experience of a lifetime.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I could write a novel about our time in China but I know it would not get read, so all I will say is BOOK IT!
Anita Purslove

IMPERIAL CHINA & YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE

Written September 2012
An absolutely fantastic once in a lifetime holiday!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Where do I start? I suppose it would have to be walking on the great wall, such an amazing surreal experince, 3 hours did not feel long enough you just wanted to keep walking another tower then another tower. It was great that we were taken to a quiet part of the wall this allowed us to get some great photo's and fully enjoy the experience, well worth the early morning and long drive.
I was really looking forward to seeing the Panda's at the breeding centre in Chengdu, they didn't dissapoint one little bit they were so cute to watch and we were also lucky enough to see 2 babies! 1 a couple of weeks old the other a couple of months WOW
The overnight stay in Tongli was good, such a great little town with bags of character and some great shops for buying souvenirs.
To keep the list short my favourite place was Xi'an, a lovely city, the highlight being cycling around the city walls.
One last thing, I was part of a great group, everybody was really nice and got on so well that this contributed greatly to the whole experience.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our group leader was Emma. I don't think we could have had a nicer person for the job, she was very bubbly and chatty and got on well with everybody in the group. Her organisational skills were impecable and she always made sure everything ran smoothly and dealt with any problems that arose efficiently.
You could ask anything of her and she would go out of her way to help. I wanted to visit a taylor to have some suits made, she phoned a personal friend of hers in Shanghai and got a name and address of a good one for me to visit.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Yes take the advice about a sleeping bag liner lol! I wasn't going to bother but was persuaded otherwise by fellow travellers in the departure lounge. You may want to use it for all 3 journeys, as we discovered that they don't change the bedding they just shake it fold it and put it back on the beds!
Use the departure lounge before you travel to get to know other people on your trip, that's what it is there for and is great for swapping travelling trips and getting some very usefull advice.
For the early morning start to visit thr great wall, take a pillow so you can sleep more comfortably on the coach.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This was my first experience of travelling (ie not a package holiday with Thompson) I could not have had a better experience and will definately be booking another holiday with Exodus in the future.
sue pawsey

IMPERIAL CHINA & YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE

Written September 2012
It was a great trip and we beleive we have seen much of China and experienced a totally different way of life. China has so many layers and so much to see if you go with an open mind and wide eyes.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Walking the Wall would have to be the most inspirational. To actually be there and see the wall wind its way across the ridges and high points of the mountains. Talking with the local people and hear the proud voices of thier country. Although this was the highlight its closely followed by the Terracotta Warriors, the pandas, Yangshuo with the spectacular rock formations. The lovely water village of Tong li and Beijing with the old and new blending in. Xian was lovely, especially riding around the wall.
What did you think of your group leader?
William was the best. He ensured that we all got to see China worts and all. We were a large group and of varing levels of fitness and abilities and he went out of his way to ensure we all got to experience the wonders of China.
His knowledge of the places we went to was excellant and ensured that we got to taste the subtle differences from various areas.
I was lucky enough to have a birthday while on the trip and he went out of his way to make it a special day.
Noel needed a fuse and he was very helpful and went shopping for Noel, it was much appreciated.
His advcie on handling the crowds was spot on and with such a large group we believe he managed remarkable well, keeping us together and safe.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take you time to look about yourself, its not all about the highlights but also about the local sights and what is happening for the Chinese people as they go about their business.
The gardens are different from what we are used to but we realised that you need to sit and ponder and look out from all angles and see the beauty.
Definetly take wet wipes, toliet paper and hand sanitizer. A sleeping bag liner is a must for the over night trains.
Limit the luggage as you need to tranport your own often. We were there Sept/Oct when is was warm and only need to dress lightly.
The laundries are cheap and we found this very handy when staying in hotels for a few nights. Because of the humidity it can be hard to get things dry.
Leave the shopping until Shanghai so you do not have to carry it but also because there are great bargains which William will show you.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
When you do this trip be prepared to be busy and have a reasonable level of fitness.
We did all of the side trips and thought it was worth every bit.
We would recommend William as a guide.
We still can not believe we have been to China a dream come true.
John McMurtry

IMPERIAL CHINA & YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE

Written September 2012
Generally a well-structured tour, but the long train journeys are very tiring. We found the time taken for the trips to the Great Buddha and also to Mt Emei could have been better spent elsewhere. We would definitely recommend this trip, but it is NOT a holiday. The early starts are tiring but necessary if you want to get the most out of this trip. My husband and I are in our sixties and were by far the oldest in the group but I am proud to say we managed to keep up (most of the time!) with our younger companions.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Walking on the Great Wall on a beautiful sunny day, doing Tai Chi in the park in Beijing early in the morning, actually seeing the Terracotta Warriors (and having our book signed by one of the farmers who discovered them in 1974).
In Yangshuo (fabulous scenery), we hired bikes to ride out to Moon Hill and on the way back into town, we met the traffic head-on as it poured out of town - scary, but you just keep on going and don't give way! The evening musical performance set on the lake in Yangshuo was magical.
The visit to see the three Gorges dam was very interesting and informative.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our group leader was William and he took great care of us. I'd suddenly find my suitcase being carried by him as we approached a long set of steps in a railway station or hotel.
William is a real foodie and as soon as breakfast was over, he would be planning where to go for lunch and/or dinner later - he was pleased that we all (only 6 in our group, which was excellent) loved Chinese food and he took great pride in ordering something that would please all of us.
Even on "free days" William would accompany us if we wanted to go and see something not included on the tour. He certainly went well beyond what would have reasonably expected of a tour leader in his attention to detail.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Our advice would be to travel light, take lots of wipes and pay a little bit more when you buy bottled water to avoid the very metallic taste of the cheaper ones.